z_2 




60th Congress, 

1st Session. 



SENATE, 



Report 
No. 557. 



MONIB'IENT TO MEMORY OF WILLIAM ( AMPBELL. 



April 22, 1908. — Ordered to be primed. 



Mr. Daniel, from the Committee on the Library, submitted the 
A following 

REPORT. 

[To accompany S. 5295.] 

The Committee on i\v^ Library, to whom was referred th? bill (S. 
5295) for the erection of a monument to the memory of Gen. William 
Campbell, submit the following re])ort anil recommend that the bill 
do pass. 

In 1780, in the dark days of the Revolutionary war, William Camp- 
bell, a colonel of militia, in the service of Virginia, led 400 men from 
Washington County, Va., to South Carolina. With the militia from 
North and South Carolina, and a few from Georgia, he marchetl against 
the British commander, Ferguson, who had his forces on the crown of 
Kings Mountain, in South Carolina, near th^ North Carolina border, 
and comoletely annihilated thun. 

The victory, which was won on the 7th of October, 1780, was 
great and the exploit one of the most intrepid and brilliant in the 
annals of war. It was decisive and far-reaching in results, inspiriting 
the patriots of the Revolution, turning the ill-starred course of war, 
and largely contributing to the surrender of Lord Cornwallis at York- 
town. 

The battle was between about 900 American militia under Camp- 
bell, while Colonel Ferguson, the British commander, marshaled 
some 1,000 Tories and about 125 British regulars. 

The importance of the event and the valoi" of Col. William Camp- 
bell, the commander, as well as that of his fellow-soldiers from Vir- 
ginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina, who, with a few Georgians, 
who share in its glory, deserve this commemoration. They were 
three times flung back by Ferguson and his men, but their tenacious 
and indomitable pluck in about one hour completely destroyed or 
captured the whole of their enemy's forces. 

It was a battle in which there was not a regular soldier of the 
American Army, but was fought solely by the people of a few States 
who helped to create the country and to win its independence. 



Sr ' ^ A- /^ "S 



2 MONUMENT TO MKMOKV OF WILLIAM CAMPHELL. 

It is well to scatter over the country the meinorials of its founda- 
tion and to celebrate the great deeds of our forefathers. 

Draper remarks, in the preface of his book on the King's Mountain 

battle, that — 

The worthy King's Mountain centennial Aery naturally excited much interest 
in the minds of the public regarding the battle itself and its heroic actors, and prompted 
the writer to sd uboul. the prepuration of his long-promised ivork. 

There is no greater assurance of our peace and happiness as a 
nation than may be found in cultivating acquaintance with our- 
selves and our common history. 

THE TURNING POINT OF THE REVOLUTION. 

The battle of Kings Mountain was the turning point in the Revo- 
lutionary war in favor of American independence. General Wash- 
ington proclaimed the result in general orders of congratulation to 
the Army as "An important advantage gained.'' Generals Gates, 
Gi'eene, and Lee, and Chief Justice Marshall all paid the highest 
compliments to General Campbell and his forces. 

Lossing says : 

No battle during the war was more obstinately contested than this: it completely 
crushed the spirits of the Loyalists and weakened beyond recovery the royal power 
in the Carolinas. 

The historian Bancroft says : 

The victory at Kings Mountain, which in the spirit of the American soldiers was 
like the rising at Concord, in its effects like the success at Bennington, changed the 
aspects of the war. The loyalists of North Carolina no longer dared rise. It fired 
the patriots of the two Carolinas with fresh zeal. It encouraged the fragments of the 
defeated and scattered American anny to seek each other, and organize themselves 
anew. It quickened the North Carolina legislature to earnest efforts. It encouraged 
Virginia to devote her resources to the country south of her border. The appearance 
on the frontiers of a numerous enemy from the settlements beyond the mountains, 
whose very names had been unknown to the British, took Cornwallis by surprise, 
and their success was fatal to his intended expedition. He had hoped to step with 
ease from one Carolina to the other, and from those to the conquest of Virginia; and 
he had now no choice but to retreat (p. 375). 

Washington Irving declares that "the battle of Bangs Mountain, 
inconsiderable thoug-h it was in numbers engaged, turned the tide 
of southern warfare/' Cornwallis fully recognized the extent of the 
great disaster. JetTerson declared "that memorable victory ^yas 
the joyful annunciation of the turning of the tide of success which 
terminated the war of the Revolution with the seal of independence." 
Doctor Draper says : 

And richly did the heroes who marched under Campbell's banners deserve all the 
praise so generously bestowed upon them. Kings Mountain paved the way for the 
successive advantages gained by the American armies at, first. Dam Fonl, Blackstocks. 
Cowpens, Guilford, and Eutaw.' and, ultimately, for the crowning victory of Yorktown 
with the glorious fruition of independence forever. 

The conclusions of Draper will be c[uoted time and again for t^ie rea- 
son that his painstaking care and his rare knowledge of the subject 
impart an historic value to his utterance which does not attach to 
tins writer. 

GEN. WILLIAM CAMPBELL. 

Gen. William Campbell was a leader of his times in many critical 
conjunctures. In all of them he acted with wisdom and courage, and 

D. OF D. 
AUG 27 1908 ' :.'• 



MONUMENT TO MEMORY OF WILLIAM CAMPBELL. 3 

died while under the Marquis de Lafayette, on his way to Yorktown, 
after being promoted to brigadier-general under an act of the general 
assembly of Virginia. He was a son of Charles Campbell, of Au- 
gusta County, Va., born in 1745. In Howe's History of Virginia, page 
505, the historian makes the following statement: 

Gen. William Campbell, the subject of this memoir, was a native of Augusta, in 
the State of Virginia, of the true Caledonian race by the maternal line, as well as that 
by the father. 

Being an only son, he received a liberal education under the best teachers of those 
times. He had an ardent mind, very susceptible of literary improvement, and 
acquii'ed early in life a correct knowledge of the English language, of ancient and 
modern history, and of several branches of mathematics. 

Nature had formed him for a commander in military capacity. His personal 
appearance was grave and masculine, l)eing about 6 feet high, and well propor- 
tioned; in conversation rather reserved and thoughtful; in his written communica- 
tions expressive and elegant. His patriofism was not of a timid cast. He never 
balanced between his military duty and prudential maxims. Wlien his ire was 
excited he showed in his countenance the fury of Achilles. The trusty Andreferrars , 
the sword he wore on the day of battle was once the property of his grandfather from 
Scotland, and he had an arm and a spirit that could wield it with effect. 

THE EXPEDITION TO POINT PLEASANT. 

Gen. William Campbell's military life began at the age of 29, 
when he commanded a company of militia from the county of Fin- 
castle, Va. (now Washington County), upon an expedition to Point 
Pleasant, on the Ohio River, being under Gen. Andrew Lewis. 

THE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY AND THE RESOLUTIONS OF RESISTANCE 
OF JANUARY^ 20, 1775. 

Immediately after his return from that expedition, on the 20th 
day of January, 1775, he was one of the committee on safety appointed 
ty the freeholders of Fincastle (now Washington) County, to draft 
resolutions in response to the Continental Congress. This com- 
mittee was composed of Rev. Charles Cummings, Col. William Pres- 
ton, Col. William Christian, Capt. Stephen Trigg, Maj. Arthur Camp- 
bell, Maj. WilKam Ingles, Capt. Walter Crockett, Capt. John Mont- 
gomery, Capt. James McGacock, Capt. William Campbell, Capt. 
Thomas Madison (brother of James Madison, afterwards President of 
the United States), Capt. Daniel Smith, Capt. William Russell, Capt. 
Evans Shelby, and Lieut. William Thompson, names which have 
become memorable in history both of our civil and military life. 
This committee assembled on the day of their appointment, and, 
so far as we have any record, their resolutions were the first in which 
the freeholders of any county of the colonies declared against the 
oppression and misrule of the British Government. The conclud- 
ing paragraph of what might well be termed "the first declaration 
of independence" was as follows: 

But if no pacific measures shall be proposed or adopted by Great Britain, and our 
enemies will attempt to dragoon us out of these inestimable privileges to which we 
are entitled as subjects, and to reduce us to a state of slavery, we declare that we are 
deliberately and resolutely determined never to surrender them to any power upon 
earth but at the expense of our lives. 

These are our real, though unpolished sentiments of liberty and loyalty, and in 
them we are resolved to live and die. 

This address was unanimously agreed to by the people of Fincastle 
County and forwarded to Peyton Randolph, Richard Henry Lee, 



4 MONUMENT TO MEMORY OF WILLIAM CAMPBELL. 

George Washington, Patrick Henry, jr., Richard Bland, Benjamin 
Harrison, and Ednumd Pendleton, esqs., delegates from the colony 
of Virginia, who had attended the Continental Congress held at Phila- 
delphia. 

THE DUNMORE WAR AND THE RESOLUTION OF JULY 15, 1775. 

On the 9th day of April, 1775. the British governor, Dunmore, of 
the colony of Virginia, upon a ])lea that insurrection existed in a 
neighhoring county, removed the powder stored in the public mag- 
azine at Williamsburg, Va., and placed it on l)oard ship. This action 
provoked a great deal of discontent, and shortly thereafter Patrick 
Henry, who placed no confidence in the governor, resolved upon an 
effort to recover the powder. He organized a company in his own 
county and marched to Williamsburg. At the same time William 
(Campbell, moved by the same spirit, organized a company of militia 
in Fincastle (now Washington) County, and, joining Patrick Henry, 
the two companies went to Williamsburg. 

Tiie committee of safety of Fincastle County, of which Capt. 
William Campbell was a member, again met on July 15, 1775, and 
adopted the following resolution : 

Resolved, That the spirited and meritorious conduct of Patrick Henry, esq., and the 
rest of the gentlemen volunteers attending him on the occasion of the removal of the 
gunpowder out of the magazine in Williamsl)urg, very justly merits the very hearty 
approbation of this committee, foi which we return them iiur thanks, with an assurance 
that we will, at the risk of our own lives and fortunes, support and justify them with 
regard to the reprisal they made. 

THE FIGHT AT HAMPTON, SEPTEMBER 3, 1775. 

On the 3d day of wSeptember, 1775, a British ship of war was driven 
ashore near Hampton, Va., during a storm, and on the morning of the 
4th the people set fire to it and destroyed the ship. The captain of 
the ship threatened to burn the town and actually tried to do so. 
But the Virginia conmiittee of safety dispatched Colonel Woodford 
with three companies of riflemen to the assistance of the people of 
Hampton. Of the three companies thus dispatched one was the 
company of Fincastle County troops un<ler Capt. William Campbell. 

When the British captain began his attack on the town he was so 
warmly received by Colonel Woodford and his men that he took to 
flight after the loss of a number of men. Thus it will be seen that 
troops from Fincastle County took part in the first engagement of 
the Revolutionary War on Virginia soil in which blood was shed, 
Capt. William Campbell leading them. 

Howe, in his history of Virginia, says that in the year 1775 William 
Campbell was of the first regidar troops raised in Virginia, being hon- 
ored with a captain's connnission in the first regiment. The com- 
pany which "\\ dliam Campbell commanded was composed of men 
who were at that time livmg in the frontier settlements of Virginia 
and who marched several hundred miles — in fact, almost across the 
State — to testify to their devotion to the principles enunciated in 
their respective resolutions of January 20, 1775, and which may be 
termed "the first declaration of independence." Here Captain 
Campbell served with distinction until ravages by Indians, who by 
that time had formed an alliance with the English troops, caused his 
resignation, to return and protect the homes of his people in Fincastle 
(now Washington) County. 



MONUMENT TO MEMORY OF WILLIAM CAMPBELL. 5 

BATTLE AT LONG ISLAND FLATS, JULY 19, 1776. 

Upon returning home Capt. William Campbell participated in the 
battle of Long Island Flats, about 15 miles west of the present city 
of Bristol, Va.-Tenn., which was an engagement between the colo- 
nists and Indians and occurred on the 19th day of July, 1776, result- 
ing in an overwhelming victory for the frontiersmen. In this battle 
Captain Campbell had the cooperation and assistance of the men who 
afterwards accompanied him to Kings Mountain in 1780. 

COUNTIES OF WASHINGTON, MONTGOMERY, AND KENTUCKY' FORMED 

DECEMBER, 1776. 

In the month of December, 1776, the county of Fincastle, Va., by 
act of the general assembly of the State, was extinguished by the 
formation of three counties, to wit, Washington, Montgomery, and 
Kentucky. William Campbell w^as commissioned a member of the 
county court of Washington County, and participated in the first 
meeting of that court held at Blacks Fort (now Abingdon) on the 
last Tuesday in January, 1777, it being the 28th day of the month. 
As a member of the county court he took a prominent part in all 
measures affecting his county, including its organization. 

COLONEL OF MILITIA IN WASHINGTON COUNTY, VA. OPPOSITION TO 

TORIES IN 1779. 

About this time, in response of resolutions passed by the Conti- 
nental Congress providing for the organization of militia in the 
several counties of the colonies, William Campbell was elected and 
commissioned lieutenant-colonel of the militia for Washington 
County. Subsequently, upon the resignation of the colonel, William 
Campbell became colonel of the regimental militia of Washington 
County. 

In the summer of 1779 Tories, living on the headwaters of the Yad- 
kin River in North Carolina and New River in Virginia, began form- 
ing into a body with the intention of destroying the lead mines on 
New River, robbing the well-aft'ected citizens of Montgomery County 
and forcing their way to the headquarters of Lord Cornwallis, who 
was at that time in the Carolinas. There was every prospect an 
insurrection would immediately take place. Col. William Campbell 
was requested by Colonel Preston, of Montgomery County, to ren- 
der assistance in suppressing the threatened insurrection. He 
responded promptly, and his presence in Montgomery County and his 
reputation as a leader of the Continental forces struck consternation 
in the ranks of the Tories, wdio dispersed upon his approach and 
offered no open resistance. The threatened insurrection was thereby 
prevented. 

As a result of the operations of Colonel Campbell during the sum- 
mer of 1779, and with a view to protecting him, the general assem- 
bly of Virginia adopted the following resolutions : 

AN ACT To indemnify William Campbell, Walter Crockett, and others concerned in suppressing a 

late conspiracy. 

Whereas divers evil-disposed persons on the frontiers of this Commonwealth had 
broken out into an open insurrection and conspiracy, and actually levied war ag:ainst 
the Commonwealth, and it is represented to the present general assembly that William 



6 MONUMENT TO MEMORY oK WILLIAM CAMPBELL. 

Campbell, Walter Crockett, and other liege subjects of the Commonwealth, aided by. 
detachments of the militia and volunteers from the county of Washington, and other 
parts of the frontiers did, by timely and effectual exertion, suppress and defeat such 
conspiracy; and 

Whereas the necessary measures taken for that purpose may not be strictly war- 
ranted by law, although justifiable from tlic immediate urgency and imminence of 
the danger; 

Be it therefore declared and enacted. That the said William Campbell, Walter Crockett, 
and all other persons whosoever concerned in suppressing the said conspiracy and 
insurrection, or in advising, issuing, or executing any orders or measures taken for 
that purpos<\ stand indemnified and clearly exonerated of and from all pains, penal- 
ties, prosecutions, actions, suits, and damages on account tliereof; and that if any 
indictment, prosecution, action, or suit shall be laid or brought against them or any 
of them for any act or thing done therein, the defendant or defendants may plead in 
bar, or the general issue, and give this act in evidence. 

SUPPRESSION OF TORIES AND INDIANS IN 1780. 

Duriiio- the months of August and September, 1780, 150 men from 
Wasliington County saw active service on New River about the lead 
mines and over the mountains in North Carolina, under the command 
of Col. William Campbell, in preventing and suppressing threatened 
insurrection of the Tories in those quarters. 

In the month of September, 1780, the Cherokee Indians began to 
give evidence of an unfTiendly disposition, and every indication 
pointed to an Indian war. The governor of Virginia directed 
Colonel Campbell to take command of an expedition against them. 
While preparations were being made for tliis expedition and men 
were being mustered into service Colonel Campbell received letters 
from Cols. Isaac Shelby and John Sevier requesting his assistance in 
a contemplated expedition against Colonel Ferguson, a British officer 
then stationed at Gilberttown, N. C, with about 1,100 troops. 

THE UNION WITH THE NORTH AND SOUTH CAROLINIANS. 

Acting under th^ orders of the governor previously given. Colonel 
Campbell joined this expedition at Sycamore Shoals on the Watauga 
River, with 400 men from Washington County, Ysi. 

This mountain army, upon reaching Quaker Meadows, the country 
home of Colonel McDowell, in Surry County, N. C, was composed of 
about 1,500 men fi'om the counties of Surry, Wilkes, Burke, Wash- 
ington, and Sullivan, N. C, the county of Washington, Ya., and the 
South Carolinians of Surry. 

The men with whom Campbell united on his march against Ferguson 
were imder McDowell, Shelby, and Sevier. Wilhams, Cleveland, 
Winston, Lacey, Ilambright, Hampton, Brandon, Stone, Chronicle 
and others were entitled to their full share of the glory, which was 
soon won at Kings Mountain. History has recorded to all their 
meed of praise. 

The larger portion of the forces gathered together, and that Camp- 
bell joined were the North Carolinians under brave leaders, but Lacey 
came with Sumter's redoubt al)le veterans, a small but ex])erienced 
corps from South Carolina. Their number can not be accurately 
stated, and those who ])articipated in the battle were diminished by 
the hard march in pursuit of Ferguson. 



MONUMENT TO MEMORY OF WILLIAM CAMPBELL. ( 

ESTIMATES OF THE AMERICAN FORCE. 

Draper in a note estimates the force assembled for tlie march to 
Kings Mountain as follows: 

Campbell's force 400 

Shelby's 240 

Sevier's : 240 

McDowell's (160, increased in Biu'ke County to probably 180) 180 

Cleveland and Winston's 350 

Canodlers's ; 30 

Lacy's 270 

Williams's. 70 

Hambright's, including Clu'onicle's 60 

Total 1, 840 

It has been estimated as 3,000, and often lugher, though by no 
means is tliis view accepted. (Draper, p. 214.) 

A much less number than this estimate was actually in the battle, 
as Draper shows. 

MAj. PAT. Ferguson's forces. 

The history of the battle of Kings Mountain, by Lyman C. Draper, 
secretary" of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin, gives a minute 
account of the campaign and engagement. 

Maj. Patrick Ferguson, the British commander, had posted his 
troops upon Kings Mountain, upon the borders of South Carolina, 
not far from the North Carolina line. His forces were about 1,000 
provincials, raised around New York and New Jersey, with sonie 
colonists from the region of the battle, of whom no definite account is 
found. Besides these he had some 125 British regulars, who were 
valiant men, using freely the bayonet. 

THE NUMBER OF THE AMERICANS SELECTED TO FIGHT THE BATTLE. 

Before moving to Kings Mountain the combined force at the Cowpens was about 
1,100, nearly all well armed with rifles. Here a prompT selection was made by the 
officers from the several parties just arrived from Flint Hill, so that the whole nuniber 
of mounted men finally chosen to pursue and attack Ferguson was about 910, besides 
the squad of uncounted footmen, who were probably not so numerous as Spelt sup- 
posed. They may be estimated pro rata, according to the respective strength of their 
respective corps, about as follows: Chosen at Green River — Campbell's men, 200; Shel- 
by's, 120; Sevier's, 120; Cleveland's, 110: McDowell's. 90; and Winston's, 60; total, 
700. Additional troops selected at the Cowpens: Lacey's, 100; Williams's, 60; and 
Graham and Hambright's, 50; total, 210; and making altogether 910 mounted men. 
The squad of uncounted footmen should be added to the number. The little party 
of Georgians seem to have been united with Williams's men. and served to swell that 
small corps; Chronicle's South Fork boys helped to make up the Lincoln force under 
Graham; while the few footmen doubtless generally joined their respective corps, 
though some, like Spelt's, united with the column most convenient to them when the 
time of trial arrived. (Draper, p. 227.) 

THE BATTLEFIELD AND THE BATTLE. 

Kings Mountain took its name from one King who lived at the 
foot of the mount with his family. 

The Kings Mountain range is about 16 miles in length. The ground 
on which the battle was fought is some 600 yards long and about 
250 from one base across to the other, or from 60 to 120 wide on the 
top, tapering to the south, so narrow that a man standing on top of it 



O MoMMENT T< > MEMORY (»K WILLIAM CAMl'HELL. 

may be shot on either side. Its siiinniit is some 60 feet above the 
level of the surroiiiKJing country. (Draper, 209.) 

Fero^iison had his encampment cm this spot, and declared that 
he "was on Kinii's Mountain: that he was king of that mountain, and 
that (lod Ahnighty could not drive him from it." 

Shelby took place on the left of the mountain opposite Campbell, 
Campbell's left and Shelby's right condng together. Beyond Shelby 
were Williams's command, including Brandon and Hammond and 
Candler, the South Carolinians under Lacey, Ilathorne, and Steen, 
with the rest of the Wilkes and Surry men under Cleveland, and also 
the Lincoln troops under Chronicle and llaininond, all under the 
direction of Colonel Cleveland. 

Campbell's force was arranged in four cohinins, two on either side 
of the mountain, led by Colonels Campbell and Sevier on the right 
with Shelby and Cleveland on the left. Thus arranged the force 
advanced to the attack. Campbell led his men with his coat off. 
The fight was swift and fierce, Ferguson repeatedly charging, first 
upon Campbell's men, who stood their ground until some o? them 
were thrust through with the bayonet, then retreating: then they 
assailed Shen)y, a man of iron, who pressed ujxjn them. Tliev, too, 
had to retreat slowly, firing. 

Lacey 's horse was shot under him as he and his South Carolinians 
rushed forward. Chronicle was killed as he led forward his band, 
with his associates, Lieutenant-Colonel Ilambright, Maj. Jose})h Dixon, 
and Captains Mattox, Johnston, White, Es})ey, and Martin. Colonel 
Sevier, with McDowell's and Winston's battalions, gained the sum- 
mit of the hill without being charged with the bayonet, save a portion 
of their left which hastened to support Campbell. When Cleveland 
advanced under fire he exclaimed to his men, "Yonder is your enemy 
and the enemy of mankind:" and they fought, as did, indeed, the 
whole force of Americans, with resolute determination. 

The battle rolled to and fro until, at the end of about an hour, 
Fergu.son, the conunander, who continuously led his men with des- 
perate courage, was killed, and Captain De Peyster, the next in com- 
mand, raised a white handkerchief as a token of surrender. A fellow- 
oilicer struck it down, ])ut it was cjuickly raised again, and the whole 
force surrendered. 

Never did a little army fight with more unanimous courage, antl 
never did all of them more sternly win the title of heroes. 

THE CHARACTER OF CAMPBELLS MEN. 

After speaking of Ferguson's men. Draper thus speaks of Camp- 
bell's men: 

In the confronting rankr^ was a very difforonf class of men. Those from the Ilolston, 
under rainplx'll, were a peculiar people— somewhat of the character of ('romwell's 
soldiery. They were, almost to a man, Presl)yterians. In their homes, in tiie Ilols- 
ton Valley, they were settled in pretty comi)act congregations; (piite tenacious of 
their religious and civil liberties, as handed down from father to son from their Scotch- 
Irish ancestors. Their preacher. Rev. Charles Cummins, wivs well fitted for thi' 
times; a man of piety and sterling patriotism, who constantly exerted himself to 
encourage his people t(j make every needed sacrifice and put forth every possible 
exertion in defen.se of the lil)erties of their country. 

They were a remarkable body of men, both ])hysically and laentally. Inured to 
Irontier life, raised mostly in .Xiigusta and Rockbridge counties. Va., a frontier region 
in the l-'rench and Indian war. ihev earlv .settled on the Ilolston, and were accustomed 



MONUMENT TO MEMORY OF WILLIAM CAMPBELL, 9 

from their fliildliood to border life and hardships; ever ready at the tap of the drum 
to turn out on military service; if in the busiest crop season, their wives, sisters, and 
daughters could, in their absence, plant, and sow and harvest. They were better 
educated than most of the frontier settlers, and had a more thorough understanding of 
the questions at issue between the colonies and their mother country. These men 
went forth to strike their country's foes, as did the patriarchs of old, feeling assured 
that the God of battles was with them, and that He would surely crown their efforts 
with success. They had no doubts nor fears. They trusted in God and kept their 
powder dry. Such a thing as a coward was not known among them. How fitting it 
was, that to such a band of men should have been assigned, by Campbell's own good 
judgment, the attack on Ferguson's choicest troops — ^liis Provincial Rangers. It was a 
happy omen of success — literally the forlorn hope — the right men in the right place. 
(Pp. 242-243.) 

THE KILLED AND WOtTNDED OF THE AMERICANS. 

Draper says: 

''Of the killed and wounded of. the Americans, it is less difficult to 
get at the facts, or at least they are not involvetl in such contra- 
dictory statements as those relating to the British losses. Colonel 
Shelby, in his letter to his father, October 12, 1780, mentions 6 
officers and 23 privates killed and 54 wounded, but adds that he 
believes with more accurate returns the killed will prove to be 35 
and the wounded between 50 and 60. Colonel Campbell, in his 
letter of October 20, places the number at about 30 killed and 60 
wounded. In the ofhcial report, made out apparently somewhat 
later, and hence more reliable, the killed ar^ stated at 28 and the 
wounded at 62. (Draper, p. 302.) 

LOSSES OF WILLIAMS, BRANDON, STEEX, AND HAMMOND. 

In the commands of Williams, Brandon, Steen, and Hammond we 
have no record of any loss save that of their gallant leader and the 
person, whose name is unknown, who had a j)resentiment of his 
death; and William Giles, as already related, slightly wounded. 
Among the South Carolinians, under Lacey and Hawthorn, no killed 
are reported, save, perhaps, David Duff and William Watson, who 
probably belonged to this corps, and but one wounded, Robert Miller, 
of Chester County, who was badly disabled in his thigh. In both of 
these commands there were ])robably other losses. Of the Ruther- 
ford men under Colonel Hampton, John Smart and Preston Goforth 
were kihed, and Maj. James Porter and WilUam Robertson wounded; 
but of McDowell's Burke County men, we have no knowledge of any 
deaths or disal)ilities. (Draper, p. 302.) 

LOSSES OF LINCOLN MEN. 

ri"The Lincoln County men, considering their small number, suf- 
fered considerably in the engagement — Major Chronicle, Captain 
Mattocks, William Rabb, John Boyd, and Arthur Patterson, killed, 
and Moses Henery mortally wounded; Lieutenant-Colonel Ham- 
bright, Captain Espey, Robert Henry, William Gilmer, John Chittim, 
and William Bradley, wounded. There must have been other 
losses, for of Capt. "Samuel Martin's company of about twenty 
men, he relates in his pension statement that four were killed and two 
mortallv wounded. (Draper, p. 302.) 



10 MONUMENT To MKMoKV oF WILLIAM CAMPBELL. 

LOSSES OF SEVlElf S KEtiLMENT. 

"Of Sevier's regiment, Williaiu Steele, John Brown, and Miehael 
Mahoney are known to liave lost their lives in the contest, while 
Captain Sevier was mortally, and one Gilleland and Patrick Mnrphy 
severely wounded. Near the close of the action, Captain Sevier, 
wliile stooping to pick up liis rann'od, received a huckshol wound 
near his ki(hiev: after the action the British surgeon. Doctor Jolmson, 
endeavored to extract the shot, I)ut fail(Ml in tlie ("(fort." (Draper, 
pp. 302-303.) 

LOSSES OF SHELBY S MEN. 

"Colonel Shelby's regiment no doubt su tiered from losses in the 
action; but the particulars wanting, save that Captain Shelby, Wil- 
liam Cox, and John Fagon were wounded. As Shelby's men encoun- 
tered hard fighting and were repeatedly charged down the mountain, 
the}' must necessarily have lost some of their number and had more 
wounded than the three whose names are mentione(l. 

LOSSES OF Cleveland's and Winston's men. 

''Of the Wilkes and Surry men, under Cleveland and Winston, we 
have only the names of two men killed — Thonuis Bicknell and Daniel 
Siske, of Wilkes County; Major Lewis, Captains j^ewis. Smith, and 
Lenoir, Lieutenants Johnson and J. M. Smith, Charles Gordon and 
John Childers woun.ded, the latter badly. Where so many officers 
were disabled there must have been several others of this gallant 
regiment killed and wounded. (Draper, p. 301.) 

LOSSES OF Campbell's men. 

"Colonel Campbell's A'irginians, who fought so nobly and })ersist- 
ently throughout the action, met with severer losses than any other 
regiment engaged in this hard <hvy's contest. Of the killed were 
Capt. William Edmondson, Lieuts. Keece Bowen, William Blackburn, 
and Kobert Kdmondson, sr., Knsigns Andrew Kdmondson. John 
Beattie, James Corry, Xathaniel Dryden, Nathaniel Gist, James 
Philips, and Ilumber.son Ijyon, and Private Henry Henigar. Lieut. 
Thomas McCulloch and Ensign James Laird, who were mortally 
wounded, died a few days thereafter. Capt. James Dysart, Lieuts. 
Samuel Newell, Robert Edmondson, jr., and IS j)rivates wounded, 
of whom were Frederick Fisher, John Skeggs, Benoni Banning. Charles 
Kilgore, William Bullen, Leonard llyce, Israel Ilayter, and William 
Moore, who recovered. The names of the other ten disabled Vir- 
ginians have not been j)reserved. 

"So badly wounded was Wilham Moore (hat his leg had to be ampu- 
tated on the held, lie was necessarily left at some good Samaritan's, 
but when his associates returned to their distant liolston homes and 
told the story of their victory and its cost in life and suffering, his 
devoted wife, on learning of her husband's terrible misfortune, though 
in the month of November, mounted her horse and rode all the long 
and dreary journey to the neighborhood of Kings Mountain— such 
was the intrepidity of the frontier women, as well as the men, of those 
trying times; and having nursed him until sul!i(i(Mitlv recovered, she 



MONUMENT TO MEMORY OF VVILLIAN CAMPBELL. 11 

conveyed hini home, and he Hved to a good old age, dymg in 1826, 
after having received from the Government an invaUd pension for 
thirty-seven years. 

"It is remarkable that 13 officers to only a single private of Camp- 
bell's men were killed or mortally wounded during the battle — 
nearly one-half of the fatalities of the whole Wliig force engaged in the 
contest. Tliis disparity of losses between the leaders and privates 
is a striking proof how fearlessly the officers exposed themselves in 
rallying the regiment when broken, and leading on their men by their 
valor and heroic examples to victory. One-tliird of the wounded 
were of Campbell's regiment. Another remarkable fact is that of 
eight Edmondsons of the Virginia troops' engaged that day three 
were killed and one was wounded — all prominent and efficient officers 
of that corps; the survivors having been William Edmondson, the 
major of the regiment, and privates John, Samuel, and William 
Edmondson." (Pp. 304-305.) 

draper's account of Campbell's conduct. 

"The red-haired Campbell, the claymore of the Argyle gleaming 
in liis hand, and his blue eye glittering with a lurid flame, wherever 
he was, dashing here and there along the line, was himself a host. 
His clarion voice rang out above the clash of resounding arms and 
the peals of successive riflery, encouraging his heroic mountaineers 
to victory. And thus the battle raged with increased fury — the 
mountain men constantly gaining more confidence and steadily 
lessening the number of their foes." (P. 257.) 

THE THANKS OF CONGRESS TO COLONEL CAMPBELL. 

On the 7th of November, 1780, Thomas Jeft'erson, then governor 
of Virginia, transmitted to Congress a letter from Major-General 
Gates with an account of the victory obtained by the militia over 
the enemy at Kings Mountain on the 7th of Oclober, whereupon, 
on the 13th day of November, the Continental Congress adopted the 
following resolution : 

Resolved, That Congress entertains a high sense of the spirited and military conduct 
of Colonel Campbell, officers and privates under his command, displayed in the action 
of October 7, in which a complete victory was obtained over superior numbers of the 
enemy, advantageously posted on Kings Mountain, in the State of South Carolina; 

And that this resolution be published by the conmianding officers of the southern 
army in general orders. 

RESOLUTION OF THE TWO HOUSES OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF 

VIRGINIA. 

On the 15th day of November, 1780, the senate of Virginia passed 
the following resolution: 

Resolved, nemine contradicente, That the thanks of this house are justly due to 
Colonel William Campbell, of Washington County, and the brave officers and soldiers 
under his command, who, with an ardor truly patriotic, in the month of September 
last, without waiting for the call of the Government, voluntarily marched out to oppose 
the common enemy, at the time making depredations on the frontiers of North Carolina, 
and on the seventh day of October, by a well-timed, judicious, and spirited attack, 
with a force inferior to that of Major Ferguson's, then advantageously posted on Kings 
Mountain with upwards to eleven hundred men, and by a perseverance and gallantry 
rarely to be met vnth even among veteran troops totally defeated the whole party, 
wherebv a formidable and dangerous scheme of the enemy was effectually frustrated . 



12 MONUMENT TO MEMORY OF WILLIAM ( AMPHELL. 

On tho 10th day of November, 1780, the house of delegates of 
Virginia adopted the following resolution: 

Jicsohcfi, That the tluinks of this house bo fjiveii to Col. William <"aini)l)fll. of 
the county of Wasliiugton. and the officers and soldiers under liis command, who spon- 
taneously (Hjuipped themselves and went forth to the aid of a sister State, suffering 
distress under tlu' invasiim and ravage of the conuuon enemy, and who. coml)ined with 
some detachments from the neighboring. States, judiciously concerted and bravely 
executed an attack on a party of the enemy commanded by Major Ferguson, consisting 
of about 1,105 men. British and Tories, strongly posted on Kings Mountain, whereby, 
after a severe and l)loody conflict of upward of an hour, the survivors of the enemy 
were compelled to surrender themselves prisoners of war; and that Colonel Campliell 
be requested to communicate the contents of this resolution to tlie gallant ofHcers and 
soldiers wiio composed his party. 

Richai'd Ileiiiy Lee, William Fleming, and Joseph Jones were 
api)()inted a comnnttee to eomimmicate the foregoing vote of thanks 
to Colonel Campbell, which they did, and to which Colonel Campbell 
was pleasetl to return the following answer: 

Campbell's thanks. 

Gentle.me.n: I am infinitely happy in receiving this public testimony of the 
approbation of my country for my late ser\aces in South Carolina. It is a reward 
far above my expectations, and I esteem it the noblest a soldier can receive from a 
^•irtuous people. Through you, gentlemen. I wish to communicate the high sense 
I have of it to the house of delegates. I owe, under Providence, much to the brave 
soldiers and ofHcers who served with me, and I shall take the earliest opportunity of 
transmitting tlie resolve of your house to them, who, I am persuaded, will experience 
all the honest heartfelt satisfacticm I feel myself on this occasion. 

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF VIRGINIA PRESENTS A HORSE TO GENERAL 

CAMPBELL. 

Upon the receipt of Colonel Campbell's answer the general assembly 
of Virginia adopted the following resolution: 

Ordered, That a good horse, with elegant furniture, and a sword, be purchased at 
the public expense and presented to General Campbell as a further testimony of the 
high sense the general assembly entertains of his late important services to his country. 

The directions contained in this resolution were not carried into 
execution during the lifetime of Colonel Campbell, but the horse and 
sword were afterwards presented to his grandson, William Campbell 
Preston, long a Senator of the United States from South Carolina, and 
for many years Speaker of the House of Representatives of the United 
States. 

CAMPBELL ELECTED A MEMBER OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY' OF VIR- 
GINIA AND MADE A BRIGADIER-GENERAL OF MILITIA. 

On the 14th of Jime, 1781, the general assembly of Virginia adopted 
the following resolution: 

Resolved. That William Campbell, esq., be appointed a l)rigadier-general in the 
militia of this Conunonwealth.and the governor-elect do commission him accordingly. 

CAMPBELL .JOINS GREENE IN NORTH CAROLINA. 

The Continental Congress and the officers of the Continental Army 
ascertained the value of the mountain militia on the pressing applica- 
tion of General Greene for men. Col. Arthur Campbeh, coimty 



MONUMENT TO MEMORY OF WILLIAM CAMPBELL. 13 

lieutenant of Washington County, immediately ordered out the 
militia of that county. Whereupon on February 25, 1781, 100 
men under the command of Col. William Campbell left Abing- 
don and, on March 2, joined General Greene's army in North Caro- 
lina. Col. William Campbell was now to oppose Lord CornwaUis, 
who had imbibed a personal resentment toward him as the com- 
mander at Kings Mountain and who had threatened should Colonel 
Campbell fall in his hands to have him instantly put to death for 
his rigor against the Tories. He evidently designed to hold Colonel 
Campbell personally responsible for the execution of a number of 
Tory leaders at Bickerstadd in a few days after the capture of Colonel 
Ferguson's army. This, instead of intimidating Colonel Campbell, 
had the contrary effect, and, in turn, Campbell resolved that should 
the fortunes of war place CornwaUis in his power he should meet 
the same fate as befell Ferguson. 

HEROIC CONDUCT AT THE BATTLE OF GUILFORD. 

In January, 1781, Gen. Nathanael Greene had written a letter to 
the "famous Col. William Campbell," reminding him "of the glory 
he had already acquired and urging him to bring without loss of time 
a thousand good volunteers from over the mountains." 

At that time the Indians under Logan, with a northern band, were 
invading the Clinch River region and Powells Valley, and though 
the frontiersmen were pressed on that side, Campbell carried all that 
he could collect of them. 

At "W^iitsells Mills on Ready Creek, Campbell's and Preston's 
riflemen and Colonel Washington's and Colonel Lee's horsemen 
had a skirmish with the British and effected their object of saving 
flour and meal. 

On the 15th of March, in the battle of Guilford Court-House, Light- 
Horse Harry Lee's Legion and a portion of Campbell's riflemen were 
on the left flank. 

"During the obstinate contest," says Draper, "Campbell's corps 
fought with the heroic bravery characteristic of their noble leader and 
of their own unrivaled reputation." Although they were finally 
pushed back. Colonel Lee commended Campbell for the bravery of 
his battahon,and Greene declared that his faithful services claimed his 
w^armest and entire approbation of his conduct. "Sensible of your 
merit," he said, "I feel a pleasure in doing justice to it." 

Schenck, a distinguished North Carolina historian, in speaking of 
Colonel Campbell's part in this battle, says: 

Colonel Campbell, with his Virginia and North Carolina riflemen, was the last to fire 
a gun on this bloody field, and was still fir.ng when Greene sounded retreat. 

Campbell's death while marching to yorktown. 

General Campbell, with his command, was marching through 
Cumberland County, Va., in the direction of Yorktown, when he was 
afflicted with a pain in his breast, disabling him, and from which he 
expired on the 22d of August, 1781, in his thirty-sixth year, without 
seeing the great consummation for which his life's best energies and 
services had been extended. 



14 MONUMENT To MEMORY oF WILLIAM CAMPBELL. 

TRIBUTE OF LAFAYETTE. 

When Genoral Lafayette received intelligence of tlie dfath of 
General Campbell, he issued the following order : 

The general has no doubt that the Army will unite with him in regretting General 
rampbell's deatli, an oflicer whose service must have endeared him to every citizen, 
and in particular to e\ery American soldier. The glory which General Campbell 
accjuired in the affairs of Kings Mountain Aud Guilfortl Court House does his memory 
everlasting honor and insures him a high rank among the defenders of li1)erty in the 
American cause. 

The general wishes it had been possible for himself and the officers of the Army to 
pay him those honors to which his rank, but particularly his merit, so highly entitled 
hiin, but his great distance from the Army and our present situation render it impossible. 

The lieutanants of the county Will assemble a corps to pay military honors to the 
deceased general. 

General Stephens is requested to name a deputation of four field officers who will 
immediately rci)air to Rocky Mills (Hanover County), and in the name of the Army 
pay General Campbell their last respects. 

And thus is presented as briefly as may be, the record of Gen. 
William Campbell as a citizen and soldier. 

Campbell is buried at Seven Mile Ford, near the Norfolk and West- 
ern Kadroad, in Smyth County, which was once a part of Washington. 
The adjacent region* is populous with his kinsfolk and with the descend- 
ants of the men of Kings ^fountain. 

CAMPBELL COUNTY NAMED IN HIS HONOR. 

Campbell County, Va., was formed out of Bedford in 1784 and 
named in honor of Gen . William Campbell. 

There are five Campbell counties in the United States — in 
Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, and South Dakota. 

GENERAL CAMPBELL's CONNECTIONS. 

About the year 1775 General Campbell married Elizabeth Heiu-y, 
a sister of Patrick Henry, of Virginia. Bj^ tliis marriage two children 
were born, viz: Charles Hem-y Campbell, a son, and Sarah Buchanan 
Campbell, a daughter. The son (Ued before reacliing maturity. The 
dauo;hter became the wife of Col. Francis Preston, the first Member of 
the House of Representatives of the United States from southwest- 
ern Virginia. Sarah Buchanan Campbell, who married Col. Francis 
Preston, reared a distinguished family of cliildren, to wit, William C. 
Preston, of South Carolina; Gen. John S. Preston, of South Carolina; 
Thomas L. Preston, of the University of Virginia; j\Irs. Wade Hamp- 
ton of South Carolina; Mrs. Robert J. Breckenbriilge, of Kentucky; 
Mrs. John Carrington, of Virginia; Mi-s. John E. Floyd, of Washington 
County; Mrs James McDowell, of Virginia, and Mrs. John M. Preston, 
of Abingdon, Va. 

Sarah Buchanan Campbell was reared by Thomas Madison, a 
brother of James Madison, President of the Ignited States, and, after 
her marriage, liVed in Abingdon until her death. 

THE CLAIM FOR CAMPBELL's RECOGNITION. 

It is respectfully submitted that the claims of Gen. William Camp- 
bell to national recognition are; 

First. That he was skillful and brave in a battle that reversed 
the ill fortunes of our count rv. 



MONUMENT TO MEMORY OF WILLIAM CAMPKELL. 15 

Second. That he was the most commanding figure on the frontier 
in the colonies in the great movement for civil, political, and reli- 
gious liberty that resulted in the war of Independence. 

Third. That he was the leading spirit on that committee of safety 
in Virginia that made the first public declaration among the colonies 
looking to armed resistance to British tyranny. 

Fourth. That the battle of Kings Mountain, in which he was the 
commander of the colonial forces, was one of the most important 
of the battles of the Revolution and the turning point of that 
great war. 

Fifth. That his military life was one of great glory and renown, 
and that a monument by the United States would be a fitting tribute 
to a soklier whose services were recognized by the Continental Con- 
gress, by the senate and house of delegates of the Commonwealth of 
Virginia, by General Lafayette, General Greene, and other leaders of 
the American Army. 

. Sixth. That he was a typical representative of that class of people 
living on the frontier that rendered such valuable services to the Con- 
tinental Congress in the struggle of the colonies for liberty; and this 
monument should be erected at Abingdon, Washington County, Va., 
because it was for fifty years the principal fi'ontier town in the 
development of the great West, because it was the home of General 
Campbell, and during his life and to-day is the center of the homes 
of his descendants and the descendants of those brave soldiers who 
followed him to battle. 

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